The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Chief Magistrate Court

  • Court remands two brothers over alleged firearm possession

    Court remands two brothers over alleged firearm possession

    A chief magistrate court in Port Harcourt, Rivers state has remanded one Vincent Nkwo in prison custody over alleged illegal possession of firearm.

    Nkwo, who is 45-years-old was remanded together with his brother Vincent Happy age 21 years.

    The duo and others presently at large had on September 3, allegedly had in their custody one locally made single barrel gun cut to size and two cartridges without license.

    The incident reportedly took place at Rumuodogo community of Emohua Local Government Area (LGA), of the state.

    They were charged with conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearm.

    The prosecutor Jonas Rufus told the court the offence contravenes section 6(b) of the robbery and firearms (special provisions) act cap R11 laws of the federation, 2004.

    The two count charge was not read out to them and they did not take a plea.theynwere not alaonrepresentnin the court by any Lawyer.

    The charge read “that you Vincent Nkwo (male), Vincent Happy (m) and others at large on september3, 2017 at Rumuodogo Emuoha Rivers State, in Emuoha magisterial district but triable in the Port Harcourt Magisterial district did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: Unlawful possession of firearms and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 6(b) of the robbery and firearms (Special Provisions) act cap R11 laws of the Federation, 2004.

    “That you Vincent Nkwo ‘M’, Vincent Happy ‘M’ and others now at large on the same date and place on the aforesaid magisterial district did have in your possession or under your control one locally made single barrel gun cut to size and two cartridges without appropriate authorized license and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 3 (1) of the robbery and firearms (special provision) act cap R11, laws of the Federation, 2004.

    The presiding Judge Amadi O Amadi-Nna ordered that the suspects be remanded in prison custody, while the original case file be duplicated and sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution for advice.  He adjourned the matter indefinitely.

  • Man docked for child defilement, granted bail

    Man docked for child defilement, granted bail

    A 47-year-old man, Nwachukwu Silas, who allegedly defiled a four-year-old girl in the toilet, was on Wednesday granted reprieve on the orders of a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    He was released on a bail of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    The accused had pleaded not guilty to the charge of child defilement.‎

    But the prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, insisted that the accused committed the offence on April 21 at about 11.20.a.m. at No. 6, Obadeyi Ojo St., Surulere.

    ‎She alleged that the accused, who lives in a house not too far from Obadeyi Ojo Street, was fond of coming to use the toilet in the house.

    “He came to use the toilet again that morning and he saw the four-year-old girl playing in the lonely compound.

    “He took the girl to the bathroom/toilet, removed her pant and was trying to penetrate.

    “A neighbour heard the girl’s cry, ran to the toilet and caught the accused in the act,” Osayande told the court.

    The offence contravened Sections 263(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 (Revised).

    ‎The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. A. Ipaye-Nwachukwu, who granted the bail, said one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused, while the second surety should be a civil servant of not less than Grade Level 14.

    She also directed that the sureties to provide an evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    ‎The magistrate adjourned the case until July 10.

     

  • Herdsman gets two years sentence for grazing

    Herdsman gets two years sentence for grazing

    A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced one Ali Haruna to two years imprisonment for taking his cows for grazing in a farmland in Ado-Ekiti and destroying crops.

    The Magistrate, Idowu Ayenimo, in his judgement, said the accused was arraigned in his court on Jan 22, 2016 over a two-count charge of willful and unlawful damage of farm crops at Ago Aduloju in Ado-Ekiti.

    The 18-year-old Haruna was confirmed by the four prosecuting witnesses to have been caught in the midnight grazing his cow in the farm belonging to Abdulahi Yaho and Bello Mohammed.

    The cash crops said to have destroyed by the cows in the farm included cassava, maize, okro and pepper, all valued at N3 million.

    In his defence, the defendant had told the court that the owner of the cows lived in Ilorin, Kwara.

    The magistrate said that the court did not believe Haruna’s defence as it was not credible.

    He held that the Police prosecutor, Mr Olasunkanmi Bankole, had proved his case beyond reasonable doubt.

    He thereby convicted the defendant as charged without option of fine.

    The magistrate ordered that sentence should run concurrently, explaining that the term was minimal because the offence was committed before the Grazing Law was promulgated in the state.

    The defence counsel, Mr Chris Omokhafe, had prayed the court to be liberal in the dispensation of justice, saying that he was a first offender.

  • Pastor docked over alleged forgery

    Pastor docked over alleged forgery

    A 35-year-old man whose name identified as Femi Ayodele, has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate court siting in Ondo town over alleged forgery and other offences.

    The accused person who was on until his arraignment in court was said to be the Shepherd  in charge  of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke Idalare, Awolope street Ondo town, was docked  over two- count charge of alleged processing fake visa and another conduct.

    According to the prosecutor, Inspector Gbenga Akinsulure, the self-acclaimed pastor, recently within the magisterial district unlawfully obtained the sum of N350,000 from one Oluwabumi Fadika with the pretence of processing visa and flight ticket to United Arab Emirates, (Dubai) for her, but failed to do so.

    Other charge as alleged by the prosecutor is the pastor conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace in the society by travelling with one Oluwabumi  Fadika to Portnovo, a republic of Benin instead of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

    The offences, the prosecutor said were contrary to and punishable under section 419, 249, cap 27 and volume I law of Ondo State 2006.

    The prosecutor however reiterated his readiness to prosecute the matter by inviting witnesses to the court.

    When the charged sheet was read to the accused person, he pleaded not guilty to the offences.

    Also in his defence, the counsel to the accused person, Mr. Oladele Ayoola, pleaded with the court to grant his client bail, he added that if granted bail the accused person would stand for trial and will not jump bail.

    After listening to the prosecutor and the defence counsel to the accused person, the Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Odenusi Fadeyi, granted the accused person bail with N200, 000 with two surety, including evidence of tax payment for two years and two passport photograph each.

    She added that the surety must possess landed property within the jurisdiction of the court and their identity must be verify by the court and thereby adjourned the case for further hearing.

  • Mile 12 riot: Court strikes out charges against 32 suspects

    Mile 12 riot: Court strikes out charges against 32 suspects

     

     

    A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ikeja Tuesday  struck out the charges preferred against 32 out of 177 suspects charged to court over the March 3, 2016 Mile 12 market riot in Kosofe local government area of Lagos state.

    The court presided by Chief Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi sets free 28 of the suspects who were advised not engage in such riots again while four were sent to correctional home at Oregun because they are underaged based on the advise of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    The teenagers sent to correctional home are Bilaminu Dauda 15, Abeeb Ibrahim 16, Sanusi Mohammed 17 and Rufai Ibrahim 15.

    The four tenagers appeared in court Tuesday wearing the sky blue shirt and royal blue coloured shorts of the correctional centre.

    However, it is not yet clear what would be the fate of the remaining 145 suspects who were arraigned in two other magistrate courts presided by Magistrate (Mrs) Y.O. Aje-Afunwa and Mrs. A.O. Layinka by the Police  March 8 before the matter was taken over by Lagos State government.

    Their matter will come up on the adjourned date of May 27, 2016 in the two courts.

    All the suspects were arraigned in the three courts on a two count charge offence.

    In the first count, the defendants with others at large, were alleged to have conspired amongst themselves “to commit felony to wit: riot and thereby committed offence punishable under section 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011”.

    According to the second count, ‎the defendants and others at large were accused of “unlawful assembly and acting in a disorderly manner to disturb the public peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 45 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011”.

    At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday before Chief Magistrate Osunsanya, a state counsel, Ms Tutu Oshinusi informed the court that the DPP advice was ready.

    She said the DPP advice against continuation of trial of the suspects.

    Police prosecutor, Inspector Simeon did not raise any objection to the advice which said no prima facie case could be established against the defendants.

    Chief magistrate Osunsanmi, ruling on the matter, struck out the two count charge preferred againt the suspects.

    “You are hereby discharged of the two count charge brought against you. The charges are hereby struck out “based on the advice of the DPP,” she said.

    Those who regained their freedom are  Haruna Abdulahi 30, Umaru Bala 18, Saheed Tahir Abdulahi 20, Musa Isa 22, Farouq Abdamu 22, Aminu Abubakar 22, Sanni Amadu 24.

    Others are Amoo Mustapha 42, Danjuma Adamson 30, America Umaru Saidu 21, Awolu Alli 30, Monday Obasi 37, Aminu Abubakar 19, Abdulquddus Olalekan Ajuwon 19, Tunde Nureni 24, Abdulahi Umoru 20, Musa Usman 35, Abdulahi Aliyu 35.

    They also include Aminu Saidi Ibrahim 19, Sunday Idoko 48, Hassan Adam 39, Yahaya sheu Malami 23, Rabiu Hamza 19, Nura Yahu 19, Rayyanu Lawal 34, Abdurama Mohammed 40, Abubakar Tasu 28, Sunday Lawal 15 and Sani Ahasy 15.‎

  • Community leader docked in Ondo

    Community leader docked in Ondo

    An Ondo Chief, Joseph Akinawonu has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court in Ondo town over alleged conspiracy and fraudulent conversion of money.

    According to the charge sheet, the community leader along-side one Nureni Akinola were alleged to have committed the offence for which they were arraigned on a three count in February at No. 29 Mode Street, Ondo.

    Akinnawonu and Akinola were said to have allegedly used trick and obtained the sum of N500, 000 from one Madam Eunice Ajayi under the pretence of selling 10 plots of land for her and fraudulently converted the money to his personal use.

    The duo was also said to have fraudulently obtained the sum of N150, 000 from the complainant under the pretence of assisting her to grade the landed property which the accused persons later sold to another person.

    The offence which according to the charge sheet are contrary to section 516, 419 and 249 of the criminal code cap 37 vol. 1 laws of Ondo state of Nigeria 2006.

    When the charge sheet was read to the accused person.

    They pleaded not guilty, subsequently the police prosecutor, Corporal Gbenga Akinsulure, said he was ready to prosecute the case by inviting three witnesses.

    He urged the court to give him short adjournment to assemble his witnesses.

    Also, the defence counsel to the accused persons, Bade Awosule, urged the court to grant bail to his clients in liberal terms and on self recognition, saying chief Akinawonu being an Ondo chief would not jump bail.

    Awosule pleaded with the court that his clients have concluded plans to settle the case out of court with the complainant.

    After listening to the applications of both parties, the presiding magistrate, Mrs. Odenusi Fadeyi, granted bail to the accused person on self recognition and ordered that the defence counsel should stand surety for the accused person and thereby adjourned the case till May 11.

  • Court remands alleged husband’s killer in prison

    Court remands alleged husband’s killer in prison

    An Ibadan Chief Magistrate Court, Iyaganku, Ibadan Friday remanded Mrs. Yewande Oyeniran, who allegedly stabbed her husband, Lowo Oyeniran, to death on February 2, 2016, at Akobo, Ibadan, in prison custody.

    There was a mild drama at the premises of the court between the two family members of the couples, who were singing abusive songs against one another.

    The presiding chief magistrate, Mrs Kehinde Durosaro-Tijani, in the case marked: MI/1539/2016, ordered that the accused should be remanded in Agodi Prisons and adjourned the case to February 16, for mention.
    The prosecuting police officer, Inspector Amos Adewale, had preferred one-count charge against the suspect, who pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecutor, told the court that Yewande on February 2, 2016 “at about 06:10am at No 30 Abidi Odan Akobo area, Ibadan in the Ibadan Magisterial District did unlawfully caused the death of one Oyelowo Oyediran, 38, by stabbing him with knife on the neck, which later resulted to his death.”

    He further told the court that the accused had committed an offence contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol II Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000.

    The lead defence counsel, Mr. Seun Abimbola, had applied that the court should remand Yewande in police custody because she was traumatised as a result of the incident, but the magistrate refused.

    Abimbola further appealed that he would bring written application for the request to the court, but the court noted that it did not have jurisdiction to entertain such application based on the nature of the case.

    But a fast one was played on the journalists that positioned themselves near the Black Maria that was to convey Yewande and other accused persons to Agodi Prisons. While waiting for Yewande to enter the Black Maria, some officials of the Nigerian Prisons Service threatened to attack the journalists and break their cameras.

    However, the suspect was conveyed out of the court premises in a blue Primera Nissan car purportedly owns by a lawyer, while other accused persons meant to be remanded in Agodi Prisons were conveyed in a Black Maria.

    When leaving the court room, Yewande was led downstairs through the staircases in the dock, which prevented journalists from capturing her picture. She was led through Court Five into the blue Nissan primera car probably to shield her from the waiting cameras of the journalists.

    In his remark, a legal practitioner, Mr. Sina Olaniyan, described the accused as a person that has high regards for due process of the law and of good character.

    “But this is a test for the judiciary. It is going to be a test for the Nigerian Bar Association as whole. The members of the public are watching to see where the pendulum of justice will swing. She is till presumed innocent until she is proved otherwise,” he added.

    Similarly, another legal practitioner, Mr. Adeleke Bakare, described Yewande as a very amiable and gentle person, and a dedicated person to her job.

    He added that: “She is somebody who fights against crime and she is always here, doing her job as a prosecutor, diligently.
    “The person I have known that always discourage crime has now been involved a crime and it is a crime we can describe as of highest magnitude, which has highest punishment known to the law. Honestly, I am surprised.”

     

     

  • Three arraigned for terrorism

    Three men were on Monday charged before a Chief Magistrate Court, Ikeja over alleged act of terrorism and being in possession of explosive substance.

    They are; Ebenezer Akinbolade, 45, John Damilola, 30, and Tolulope Vincent, 30.

    The were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy,  acts of terrorism and possessing explosive substance.

    Police  prosecutor, Inspector Barth Nwaokoye said that the accused committed the offence at 2.15 p.m on April 13, 2013 at Emco Guest House, along Yetkem Rd., Lagos. Nwaokoye said that the defendants engaged in  acts likely to promote terrorism and endanger life.

    According to him, the defendants  allegedly  armed themselves with explosive attempted to harm one  Alhaji Adewale Nurudeen whom they had business dealings with.

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Sections 242, 401 and 409, Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.

    When the charges were read,  the defendants pleaded not guilty to the three count charge preferred against them.

    The chief magistrate, Mrs A. Demi-Ajayi granted the defendants bail each in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

    She adjourned the case to June 5, 2013 for mention.